10th July 1918 - Death of well known tradesman

Rolling casualty count: 10225

War Front:

1st Batt: Batt Sports Day was spoiled by continual rain. 1 Officer joined Batt.

2nd Batt: Officers and NCOs of the American forces, 119th Reg, 30th Division, left the Batt to return to their own unit. At night the Batt was relieved by the 1st Middlesex Reg and went to Support at Knolly`s Farm.

4th Batt: Each coy practiced an attack on the Butts on Y Rifle Range, illustrating “Fire and Movement.” Heavy storms interrupted and attacks were cancelled. Batt football team played the 3rd Batt, beating them 2 - nil.

Home Front:

Sergt. Joseph Hail, M.M., Worcesters (youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Hail, 9, Bromyard Road, St. John’s, Worcester) is reported missing between May 27 and June 6. He has been in the Army for over two years. He gained the Military Medal last year for devotion to duty and gallantry while acting as a runner.

The death took place on Tuesday night, at his residence, 105, Bath Road, of Mr. John Coleman, a well-known city tradesman. He came to Worcester as a young man about 45 years ago. He has been in failing health for some time. He was 69 years of age, and leaves a widow and two daughters.

Dispensary: Committee, Tuesday. The books showed that £118 3s. had been collected from Provident members during the past four weeks and that 78 new members had joined. The Dispenser reported that during the same period 2,001 prescriptions had been dispensed. The Secretary reported the receipt of the following new subscription: Mr. F. Knowles, London City and Midland Bank, £1 1s.

Prisoner of War: Pte. W. Jinks, Worcs. Regt., (one of the soldier sons of Mr. and Mrs. Jinks, 9, St. Paul’s Street, Worcester), previously reported missing, has sent a postcard to say that he is a prisoner of war, and slightly wounded, in Germany. He joined up on October 17, 1916, and went out early in 1917. Before the war he was employed by Messrs. G.H. Williamson. Mr. and Mrs. Jinks have five other sons on service. Alban is with the Warwicks in Egypt, Walter is in a Labour Company in France, Arthur is with the Middlesex in France, Albert is with the R.F.A. in France, and John is in M.T., A.S.C., also in France.

More Military Crosses: T./Sec. Lt. S.S. Jackson, Worc. Regt: When sent up with reinforcements to a post which was almost surrounded by the enemy, he led his men through heavy rifle and machine-gun fire. He went forward alone to reconnoitre the best means of approach, and by his coolness and courage succeeded in bringing timely assistance to the garrison of the post;

Sec. Lt. J. Lunn, Worc. Regt: As acting Staff Captain during three days’ operations he brought up much needed supplies of ammunition under heavy fire. He organized parties, and though several pack animals became casualties, kept the brigade supplied throughout;

Lt. (A./Capt.) E.S. Mitchell, Worc. Regt: He led a party of men as reinforcements to a post which was isolated and heavily attacked by the enemy. By leading his men from shell-hole to shell-hole he got within bombing range of the position under heavy fire, cleared the enemy, and reinforced the post. He displayed great courage and leadership;

T. /Sec. Lt. A. Parry, Worc. Regt: He was the only officer left with his company throughout the operations. He personally led the company in a mopping-up attack at night, and successfully drove out enemy snipers;

Capt. I.T. Pritchard, Worc. Regt., Spec. Res: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in patrolling along his company front with a view to further advance. He arranged for strong fighting patrols to attack the enemy position if ordered to do so. He showed great coolness and skill. Capt. Pritchard is well-known in the City. He is an old Elizabethan, and lived for some time at Barbourne. He went out with the Expeditionary Force, and was wounded in October, 1914, and has been wounded twice since.

A Wartime Effort in Which All Can Help: All fruit stones and hard nut-shells are needed at once by the Government for a special war purpose. Householders are urgently requested by the National Salvage Council not to allow stones and shells to be destroyed or wasted. In rural districts it is hoped that those who are able to organise collection of these materials will do so without delay. It is suggested that “Stone and Shell Clubs” should be formed wherever possible, and that the help of every householder should be enlisted in meeting this urgent demand. Members of the clubs would undertake to make every effort during the coming months to ensure that all available stones and shells are collected. Fruit stones should be dried, in the sun or in a warm oven. Nut shells and fruit stones should be packed separately, preferably in sacks, and should be dispatched by rail, carriage forward, to Captain Ricketts, Gas Works, Southend-on-Sea. Every stone and shell collected will contribute to the safety of our soldiers at the front and help to win the war.

City Police Court: Charles Gillham (42), 2 Court, Banner Street, Birmingham, gun polisher, was charged with being drunk in St. Swithin’s Street. Defendant pleaded guilty. He said that he had come to Worcester for his health; he was very sorry to find himself in such a position. He was of good character. Fined 5s.

Information researched by The Worcestershire World War 100 team